2010 Milwaukee Brewers

[HoustonGM]

I apologize for the lack of updates. The holiday season has been very busy for me. Also, with roster work beginning, updates may be relatively slow for a while, but the dynasty won't stop.


August 9, 2013
Game 112 - Milwaukee Brewers (51-60) @ Arizona Diamondbacks (50-62)
Wily Peralta (2-3, 8.88 ERA) v. Ian Kennedy (3-4, 4.99 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
       Brewers (MIL) 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 1    4 11  3
  Diamondbacks (ARI) 0 0 0 1 2 3 1 0 x    7 10  0

       HR (MIL):  Andy Gresham (11)
       HR (ARI):  Brandon Allen 2 (20)

       WP: Ian Kennedy (4-4)
       LP: Wily Peralta (2-4)

Andy Gresham launched a two-run homer in the third for Milwaukee. They got another run that inning on a single by Mat Gamel. The Diamondbacks got on the board in the fourth. Brandon Allen homered in the fifth with a man on to tie the game at 3. He homered again in the sixth with two men on off reliever Sean Burnett to give Arizona a three run lead. Each club scored once more with Arizona taking the game 7-4.

August 10, 2013
Game 113 - Milwaukee Brewers (51-61) @ Arizona Diamondbacks (51-62)
Clayton Richard (4-9, 4.83 ERA) v. Richard Castillo (1-1, 8.49 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
       Brewers (MIL) 0 0 1 4 0 0 0 2 0    7 11  0
  Diamondbacks (ARI) 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 2    4 12  1

       HR (MIL):  Brett Lawrie (8)

       WP: Clayton Richard (5-9)
       LP: Richard Castillo (1-2)

The Diamondbacks got an RBI double from Omar Infante to take an early lead in the second inning. Milwaukee tied it up in the top of the third. They took a big lead in the fourth as Andy Gresham doubled home a run and Brett Lawrie hit a three-run homer. Each team added some more to the score board as the Brewers won by a final score of 7-4.

August 11, 2013
Game 114 - Milwaukee Brewers (52-61) @ Arizona Diamondbacks (51-63)
Yovani Gallardo (11-5, 2.69 ERA) v. Eric Smith (8-8, 3.53 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
       Brewers (MIL) 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 1  5  8  0
  Diamondbacks (ARI) 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0  4  7  1

       HR (MIL):  Dan Uggla (6)
       HR (ARI):  Miguel Olivo (14)

       WP: Carlos Villanueva (3-5)
       LP: Zack Braddock (6-7)
       SV: Joakim Soria (20)

The Brewers got two third inning runs on a pair of RBI doubles from Brett Lawrie and Jason Heyward. The Diamondbacks didn’t score against Yovani Gallardo until a Brandon Allen double in the sixth inning. Miguel Olivo then followed with a three-run homer to give Arizona the lead. Carlos Quentin delivered a pinch-hit two-run double to tie the game in the eighth. The game went into extras with Dan Uggla starting off the tenth with a home run to give Milwaukee a slim edge. Joakim Soria struck out two in the bottom of the inning as he earned the save.

George Kottaras was activated from the DL with Gerald Laird being sent back to AAA.

August 12, 2013
Game 115 - Milwaukee Brewers (53-61) @ Arizona Diamondbacks (51-64)
Chris Narveson (9-7, 4.11 ERA) v. Colby Lewis (5-7, 3.51 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
       Brewers (MIL) 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 1  6 10  1
  Diamondbacks (ARI) 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0  5 10  2

       HR (MIL):  Ryan Braun (19)
       HR (ARI):  Justin Upton (11)

       WP: Joakim Soria (4-4)
       LP: Leo Rosales (0-1)
       SV: Carlos Villanueva (1)

Justin Upton started the scoring for Arizona with a first inning solo homer. Taylor Green tied it for Milwaukee with a second inning single. In the bottom of the inning, Logan Schafer singled in two runs to give Arizona the lead. The Brewers tied the game with a two-run sixth inning. In the eighth, Brett Lawrie lofted a go-ahead sacrifice fly deep enough to also advance Michael Brantley to second base, allowing him to score on a single by the next hitter, Ryan Braun. The Diamondbacks threatened in the bottom of the eighth against Anthony Slama, prompting the Brewers to turn to Joakim Soria with one run already in, two outs and the bases loaded. Justin Upton barely beat out an infield hit which tied the game at 5. The game stayed tied at 5 until Ryan Braun led off the 11th with a homer. Carlos Villanueva was handed the save chance and earned it.

August 13, 2013
Game 116 - Milwaukee Brewers (54-61) @ Pittsburgh Pirates (61-53)
Shaun Marcum (3-4, 3.91 ERA) v. Jeff Locke (8-8, 4.03 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
       Brewers (MIL) 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0    2  7  0
       Pirates (PIT) 0 0 0 0 2 4 0 0 x    6  8  0
  
       HR (PIT):  Rickie Weeks (11), Andrew McCutchen (18)

       WP: Jeff Locke (9-8)
       LP: Shaun Marcum (3-5)

An RBI single from Dan Uggla in the fourth put the Brewers on the board first. The Pirates took the lead in the fifth, scoring twice. In the sixth, Andrew McCutchen went deep for two runs to make it 4-1. Rickie Weeks followed with another two-run blast. The Brewers added one more run but fell 6-2.

August 14, 2013
Game 117 - Milwaukee Brewers (54-62) @ Pittsburgh Pirates (62-53)
Wily Peralta (2-4, 8.70 ERA) v. Tim Alderson (7-11, 4.62 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
       Brewers (MIL) 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0    1  5  0
       Pirates (PIT) 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 x    3  8  2

       HR (MIL):  Taylor Green (1)

       WP: Tim Alderson (8-11)
       LP: Wily Peralta (2-5)
       SV: Billy Wagner (24)

Travis Snider singled home a first inning run for Pittsburgh. They added two more runs in the fourth inning. The Brewers struck against Tim Alderson in the fifth as Taylor Green led off the inning with a home run. The Pirates bullpen held off any further advance as they won 3-1.

After the game, fourth outfielder Michael Brantley was sent to AAA and Corey Brown was recalled.

August 15, 2013
Game 118 - Milwaukee Brewers (54-63) @ Pittsburgh Pirates (63-53)
Clayton Richard (5-9, 4.74 ERA) v. Josh Johnson (5-8, 3.72 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
       Brewers (MIL) 0 0 3 0 0 0 1 0 0    4  6  0
       Pirates (PIT) 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0    2 10  0

       HR (MIL):  Corey Brown (8)

       WP: Clayton Richard (6-9)
       LP: Josh Johnson (5-9)
       SV: Joakim Soria (21)

Three walks by Josh Johnson in the third inning led to three runs scoring for Milwaukee. Pittsburgh put two runs on the board in the fourth. Corey Brown, in his return to the bigs, homered to lead off the seventh. Joakim Soria came on for the ninth and saved the 4-2 win.

[HoustonGM]

Week 19 - Around the League

Releases
Phillies released OF Marlon Byrd

Contract Extensions
The Royals signed outfielder David Lough to a short, cheap extension, taking advantage of his down year. They inked him to a deal that will pay him an average of $2.7 million per year for the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

The Padres agreed to terms on a $4.1 million one-year deal for next season with arbitration-eligible pitcher Simon Castro.

The Athletics avoided arbitration with left fielder Michael Taylor, agreeing to a salary of $3.75 million for next season.

Injuries
Dodgers right fielder Scott Van Slyke will miss the rest of the season. He finishes his first season as a regular having appeared in 82 games with a .246/.352/.433 batting line. Michael Cuddyer will be his replacement.

Pirates third basemen and MVP candidate Pedro Alvarez will miss two weeks with groin soreness. Ehire Adrianza, a rookie shortstop that has been a caddy for Chase D’Arnaud late in games on defense, will man the hot corner until Alvarez returns.

Blue Jays left fielder Fred Lewis is done for the year. He recently gained the starting job so he had just 101 plate appearances on the year. In that time, he hit .281/.311/.448. Power hitting rookie corner outfielder Eric Welby will be a regular for the rest of the season.

Yankees starter Phil Hughes will be out until mid-September with a hamstring injury. Brandon Webb will return from the DL in a day or two and will take over the empty rotation spot.

Rookie Nationals second basemen Jeffrey Kobernus will miss the rest of the season. Kobernus hit .259/.300/.386 while manning the cornerstone for the Nationals since Danny Espinosa’s season-ending injury. Felipe Lopez will be their regular second basemen for now, although rookie Kevin Pearson could steal some starts.

Astros first basemen Brad Vick will miss the rest of the season and could be out well into April of next year. The sophomore had a brutal second season in the bigs, hitting just .225/.325/.347, losing nearly 200 points off his rookie .843 OPS. Veteran minor leaguer Mark Hamilton will man first for the remainder of the season.

White Sox center fielder Shane Victorino is out for the year. He disappointed with a .251/.319/.364 batting line and seems unlikely to ever again be a starter quality player, as he was from 2006 to 2010. Rookie Cory Vellucci, who has been the club’s designated hitter for the last month, with play center field for the Pale Hose down the stretch. They’ll be moving Alexei Ramirez to the DH spot to give Grant Green an opportunity at shortstop. They’ll also be without second basemen Gordon Beckham until the end of September. C.J. Retherford will replace him.

[Evo X]

No problem, anxiously waiting for BM 2012 and your new rosters!

[HoustonGM]

August 16, 2013
Game 119 – San Francisco Giants (62-54) @ Milwaukee Brewers (55-63)
Madison Bumgarner (10-4, 3.26 ERA) v. Yovani Gallardo (11-5, 2.81 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
        Giants (SFG) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 1    5  7  0
       Brewers (MIL) 0 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 0    4  9  0

       HR (SFG):  Thomas Neal (15)

       WP: Manny Corpas (9-3)
       LP: Anthony Slama (4-4)
       SV: Brian Wilson (28)

The Brewers struck for three runs in the fourth inning as Ryan Braun doubled in two runs and Jason Heyward doubled home Braun. While the Brewers added one more run, Yovani Gallardo had a dominating shutout going until the Giants were able to scrounge up a run in the eighth. With two outs, he was pulled for Sean Burnett who allowed both inherited runners to cross the plate. Gallardo went 7.2 innings in all, striking out 10 while allowing three runs on four hits and one walk. Burnett then allowed a run of his own to score, blowing the lead. Thomas Neal homered off Anthony Slama in the ninth to give the Giants the lead. Brian Wilson slammed the door in the ninth.

August 17, 2013
Game 120 – San Francisco Giants (63-54) @ Milwaukee Brewers (55-64)
Barry Zito (6-12, 4.63 ERA) v. Chris Narveson (9-7, 4.11 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
        Giants (SFG) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1    1  3  1
       Brewers (MIL) 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 x    5  9  0

       HR (MIL):  Ralph Davis (17)

       WP: Chris Narveson (10-7)
       LP: Barry Zito (6-13)
       SV: Joakim Soria (22)

The Brewers bats swung right out of the gate as Andy Gresham started things with a single, scored on a double by Brett Lawrie and then Ralph Davis homered. The score remained 3-0 until the sixth inning when Chris Narveson gave himself some insurance runs with a two RBI single. Narveson was going for the complete game shutout but allowed the first three batters in the ninth to reach base, forcing the Brewers to turn to Joakim Soria. A sacrifice fly by Buster Posey brought in a run but Soria prevented any further damage.

August 18, 2013
Game 121 – San Francisco Giants (63-55) @ Milwaukee Brewers (56-64)
Eric Surkamp (9-7, 3.39 ERA) v. Shaun Marcum (3-5, 4.21 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
        Giants (SFG) 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0    2  3  1
       Brewers (MIL) 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 x    4  7  0

       HR (SFG):  Brett Pill (11), Curtis Granderson (11)
       HR (MIL):  Carlos Quentin (7)

       WP: Shaun Marcum (4-5)
       LP: Eric Surkamp (9-8)

Mat Gamel continued to prove that he can hit lefties as he singled home two runs in the first with a hot-shot up the middle. The Giants got on the board with a solo shot by Brett Pill in the fourth. Giants center fielder Curtis Granderson tied the game with a monstrous home run to center field in the sixth. The tie was broken in the bottom of the inning as Carlos Quentin hit a two-run roundtripper. Shaun Marcum went the distance, allowing just the two homers and a single while striking out three.

August 19, 2013
Game 122 – San Francisco Giants (63-56) @ Milwaukee Brewers (57-64)
Henry Sosa (5-9, 5.69 ERA) v. Wily Peralta (2-5, 8.23 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
        Giants (SFG) 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0    1 11  3
       Brewers (MIL) 3 2 1 0 0 1 2 1 x   10 10  0

       HR (MIL):  Brett Lawrie (9), Ryan Braun (20), Andy Gresham (12)

       WP: Wily Peralta (3-5)
       LP: Henry Sosa (5-10)

A first inning error by catcher Koyie Hill paved the way for three runs to score for Milwaukee. Brett Lawrie added two runs in the next inning with a homer. Ryan Braun led off the third with his 20th homer of the year. Milwaukee didn’t let up at any point in the game as they easily dispatched the Giants with a 10-1 victory.

August 20, 2013
Game 123 – Atlanta Braves (58-63) @ Milwaukee Brewers (58-64)
Tommy Hanson (8-7, 3.42 ERA) v. Clayton Richard (6-9, 4.61 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
        Braves (ATL) 2 0 0 0 0 6 2 0 2   12 12  1
       Brewers (MIL) 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 2 0    5  6  4

       HR (ATL):  Ryan Strieby (27), Cody Johnson (10)
       HR (MIL):  Ryan Braun (21)

       WP: Tommy Hanson (9-7)
       LP: Clayton Richard (6-10)

Ryan Strieby homered in the first inning to put Atlanta up by two. George Kottaras tied it for Milwaukee with a two-run double in the second. Shoddy play by the Brewers defense in the sixth inning gave way to a big six run frame for Atlanta. Milwaukee wasn’t able to get back into it as they fell 12-5.

August 21, 2013
Game 124 – Atlanta Braves (59-63) @ Milwaukee Brewers (58-65)
Dismasther Delgado (11-9, 4.82 ERA) v. Yovani Gallardo (11-5, 2.85 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
        Braves (ATL) 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0    1  3  0
       Brewers (MIL) 0 0 4 2 0 0 0 0 x    6  9  1

       HR (ATL):  Cody Johnson (11)
       HR (MIL):  Ralph Davis (18)

       WP: Yovani Gallardo (12-5)
       LP: Dismasther Delgado (11-10)

A single by Brett Lawrie in the third scored Milwaukee’s first run and Ralph Davis followed it up with a three-run home run. In the fourth, Dan Uggla doubled in two more runs, knocking Dismasther Delgado from the game. Cody Johnson led off the seventh for Atlanta with a homer, breaking up Yovani Gallardo’s shutout bid. He shrugged it off, though, and went the distance for the win. He allowed just three hits and a walk while racking up nine strikeouts.

August 22, 2013
Game 125 – Atlanta Braves (59-64) @ Milwaukee Brewers (59-65)
Peter Moylan (1-2, 5.09 ERA) v. Chris Narveson (10-7, 3.95 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
        Braves (ATL) 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0  3  5  1
       Brewers (MIL) 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  4 10  1

       HR (ATL):  Derrik Gibson (7)
       HR (MIL):  Mat Gamel (17), Jason Heyward (16)

       WP: Joakim Soria (5-4)
       LP: Jeff Lyman (1-1)

Jason Heyward, mired in a miserable slump since getting off to a hot start as a Brewer, homered in the first inning to put Milwaukee ahead 2-0. Ralph Davis tripled in another run that inning. George Kottaras allowed a passed ball in the third to allow Atlanta’s first run to score. They tied it in the fifth on a two run homer by Derrik Gibson. The game went into extras and Mat Gamel ended it in the tenth with a walk-off homer.

Jason Heyward was placed on the DL after the game and is expected to miss two weeks. Michael Brantley was recalled from AAA.

[HoustonGM]

Week 20 - Around the League

Retirements
Free agent OF Lou Montanez retired

Releases
Yankees released IF Tyler Greene
Tigers released RP Daniel Schlereth

FA Signings
Twins signed SS Tommy Manzella

Injuries
Astros starter Zach McAllister will miss two weeks. Chris Balcom-Miller re-enters the rotation.

Rangers lefty Martin Perez will be out for three weeks. They’ll turn to another youngster, Wilmer Font, in the rotation.

Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg, who has been on a tear since starting the season with a rough couple of months, will miss a month, likely limiting him to just two or three starts the rest of the way. The loss of Strasburg represents a significant blow to the Nationals’ mild playoff chance. Jo-Jo Reyes replaces him in the rotation.

Cubs second basemen Starlin Castro will miss a little over a month, possibly only returning for the final week of the season. The speedy Logan Watkins, a 23 year old rookie, will fill in.

The Tigers lost starter Jacob Turner for two weeks and starter Rick Porcello for the year. After a strong 2012, Porcello disappointed this year with a 6-10 record and a 5.12 ERA. Fausto Carmona and Brayan Villarreal were called up to replace the pair in the rotation.

[HoustonGM]

Because of my work for the official rosters of Baseball Mogul 2012, this dynasty will be on a hiatus. It will be back after I finish up work on the rosters though.

[HoustonGM]

Hall of Fame Welcomes Seven

August 22, 2013

After failing to induct any players in 2012, the Hall of Fame has welcomed seven players this year in one of the largest induction classes in history. The inductees have shook the baseball world, as many of them come with significant steroid issues. We'll tackle the two biggest names first - Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens. Despite being the true poster boys of the so-called "Steroid Era", their resumes as arguably the greatest position player and greatest pitcher in history were too much to ignore and they'll get their face on a plaque in Cooperstown.

Neither player needs much in the way of an introduction. Barry Bonds was a phenom from the moment he was drafted and lived up to the billing and then some. Due in part to the greatest offensive peak in baseball history, Bonds became the all-time leader in home runs with 762. His resume is extensive - 14 All Star appearances, 8 Gold Gloves, and an astonishing 7 MVP awards. His combination of speed, defense, power, and on-base ability makes him perhaps the best all-around player in the history of the game. He'll wear his signature San Francisco Giants cap on his plaque.

Roger Clemens is in many ways the Barry Bonds of the mound. With 11 All Star appearances, 7 Cy Young awards, and an MVP award, Clemens was no stranger to the pedestal. He racked up an impressive 354 wins while registering a 3.12 career ERA. With 4,672 strikeouts, he ranks third all-time behind Nolan Ryan and Randy Johnson. Like Bonds, Clemens is a steroid suspect, but he won't let that negativity get in his way of accepting his plaque in Cooperstown which will feature him wearing a Boston Red Sox cap.

Along with Clemens and Bonds, a third suspected steroid user, Sammy Sosa, will enter the Hall. Sosa doesn't have nearly the resume of either Clemens or Bonds, but he had one of the best home run hitting peaks in history, three times hitting 60 or more home runs. He compiled a total of 609 homers for his career. Slammin' Sammy Sosa appeared in seven All Star games and won the MVP award in his magical 1998, which saw him and Mark McGwire race for the single season home run record. He'll undoubtedly where a Chicago Cubs hat on his plaque.

Catcher Mike Piazza has been disparaged by some suspecting him of steroid use, most notably the crotchety old writer Murray Chass, who provided the exceedingly weak evidence of "backne" that appeared on Piazza and then disappeared following the institution of testing. Nevertheless, Piazza is, without a doubt, the greatest hitting catcher in history. His career .308/.377/.545 line is stunning and he racked up 427 home runs while appearing in 12 All Star Games. The 1993 Rookie of the Year winner rose from the 62nd round of the 1988 amateur draft to earn a plaque in the Hall of Fame where he will wear a Dodgers cap.

Starting pitcher and noted loud-mouth Curt Schilling has earned a plaque in Cooperstown. Schilling earned a reputation as a big-game pitcher with his stellar playoff performance - 11-2 record, 2.23 ERA in 133.1 innings. Schilling was noted for his power pitching and excellent control. Schilling's 4.38 K/BB ratio is the highest in modern baseball history (Tommy Bond at 5.04 pitched in the 1870's and 1880's). Schilling lacks much regular season hardware, with just six All Star appearances, but his best years came as second fiddle to teammate Randy Johnson's superb peak, limiting his ability to earn Cy Young awards. Nevertheless, he's a deserving Hall of Famer. Despite his best years coming with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Schilling will wear a Philadelphia Phillies cap on his plaque, as he spent far more time there and was no slouch, accumulating 34.6 WAR in parts of nine seasons.

Lastly, a pair of Houston Astros will, fittingly, enter the Hall of Fame together. Nicknamed the "Killer B's", Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell dazzled Houston fans for a decade and a half together. Both players spent their entire careers in Astros' uniforms and it's only right that they'll share the podium in Cooperstown this summer. Biggio hung on long enough to rack up 3,060 career hits. A seven time All Star and four time Gold Glover, Biggio earned his place among the best second basemen of all-time with an excellent peak from the mid-to-late 90's. Jeff Bagwell was a superb hitter and one of the most well-rounded first basemen ever as he was a strong baserunner and excellent defender. He made four All Star Games, won a Gold Glove award, and was named the 1994 MVP of the National League. His injury-shortened career prevented him from reaching noted milestones, as he had "just" 449 career home runs, but the voters overlooked the lack of round number milestones and correctly rewarded Bagwell for his superb career.

[HoustonGM]

August 23, 2013
Game 126 – Milwaukee Brewers (60-65) @ Washington Nationals (71-53)
Shaun Marcum (4-5, 4.03 ERA) v. Craig Stammen (12-5, 3.27 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
       Brewers (MIL) 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0    3 10  0
     Nationals (WSN) 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 x    4  6  1

       HR (WSN):  Josh Willingham (16), Mark Trick (2)

       WP: Craig Stammen (13-5)
       LP: Shaun Marcum (4-6)
       SV: Atahualpa Severino (5)

Ryan Braun grounded in a run in the first inning to start the scoring. Braun scored Milwaukee’s second run as he was driven home in the third by a single off the bat of catcher George Kottaras. A wild pitch from Shaun Marcum in the bottom of the inning allowed the Nationals to get on the board. Josh Willingham tied it in the fifth with a lead-off homer. Mat Gamel provided an RBI double in the seventh inning to regain Milwaukee’s lead. The Nationals struck back with a two-run pinch hit homer from back-up catcher Mark Trick, putting them up 4-3. The Brewers couldn’t make it up and they fell in a close match.

August 24, 2013
Game 127 – Milwaukee Brewers (60-66) @ Washington Nationals (72-53)
Wily Peralta (3-5, 7.36 ERA) v. Erik Bedard (7-4, 4.89 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
       Brewers (MIL) 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0    2  6  0
     Nationals (WSN) 0 1 0 0 0 4 0 3 x    8 11  0

       HR (MIL):  Ryan Braun (22)

       WP: Erik Bedard (8-4)
       LP: Wily Peralta (3-6)

The Brewers put a bunch of baserunners on in the first inning, but managed to score just one run as Erik Bedard worked out of a bases loaded jam. Michael Burgess tied it for the Nationals with an RBI single in the second inning. The tie didn’t last long as Ryan Braun launched a solo homer in the top of the third. Wily Peralta was looking good until loading the bases in the sixth inning with one out. Sean Burnett came on to face the lefty Burgess but Burgess responded with a two-run go-ahead double. Felipe Lopez hit a two-run single later in the inning to give Washington a three-run lead. Chad Qualls got hammered for three runs in the eighth to blow the game open.

August 25, 2013
Game 128 – Milwaukee Brewers (60-67) @ Washington Nationals (73-53)
Clayton Richard (6-10, 4.62 ERA) v. Ross Detwiler (8-8, 3.58 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
       Brewers (MIL) 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1    3 11  1
     Nationals (WSN) 0 1 3 0 8 0 0 2 x   14 14  0

       HR (MIL):  Carlos Quentin (8)
       HR (WSN):  Derek Norris (23), Ryan Zimmerman 2 (24), Ian Desmond (4), Justin Maxwell (2)

       WP: Ross Detwiler (9-8)
       LP: Clayton Richard (6-11)

Justin Maxwell homered in the second to put Washington on the board first. Ryan Zimmerman followed with a solo homer the following inning, preceding two more Washington runs. The Brewers got on the board in the third with a homer from Carlos Quentin. Clayton Richard served up more runs in the fifth inning and left the game with the score 8-2, one out and runners on the corners. Both runners scored thanks to a sacrifice fly and a homer by Ian Desmond. Zimmerman followed Desmond with a homer of his own. A few more runs would score with the game ending with the Nationals routing Milwaukee 14-3.

August 27, 2013
Game 129 – Milwaukee Brewers (60-68) @ Houston Astros (57-70)
Yovani Gallardo (12-5, 2.75 ERA) v. Chris Balcom-Miller (2-3, 3.57 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
       Brewers (MIL) 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 1 3  7 11  0
        Astros (HOU) 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0  4 10  1

       HR (HOU):  Willy Aybar (9), Aaron Rowand (15)

       WP: Carlos Villanueva (4-5)
       LP: Wilton Lopez (5-7)

Chris Balcom-Miller helped himself out with an RBI double in the second inning. The game remained 1-0 until Aaron Rowand blasted a two-run sixth inning homer. In the seventh, Michael Brantley, manning center to give Andy Gresham a day off, hit a two-run double to bring the Brewers within one. In the 8th, closer Matt Lindstrom came in with one out and the bases loaded. He walked in a run, leaving the game tied at 3 heading into the ninth. The Brewers took the lead against Franklin Morales as Mat Gamel doubled home the go-ahead run. Joakim Soria had pitched a scoreless 8th for Milwaukee and stayed on for the ninth but served up a game-tying homer to Willy Aybar. Ryan Braun delivered a run-scoring double in the 11th inning and Corey Brown followed up with a two-run single to give Milwaukee a solid three run lead which they would hold.

Daisuke Matsuzaka went down after the game with an elbow injury and is done for the year. The injury likely spells an end to his short career as a Brewer. He posted a poor 5.28 ERA in 73.1 innings between starting and relieving. Scott Kazmir was called up from AAA and will work out of the pen.

August 28, 2013
Game 130 – Milwaukee Brewers (61-68) @ Houston Astros (57-71)
Chris Narveson (10-7, 3.88 ERA) v. Josh Banks (5-5, 3.88 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
       Brewers (MIL) 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 1 0    5 14  4
        Astros (HOU) 0 1 0 0 0 0 6 1 x    8  9  0

       HR (MIL):  Ralph Davis (19)
       HR (HOU):  Willy Aybar (10), Aaron Rowand (16)

       WP: Wilton Lopez (6-7)
       LP: Sean Burnett (0-5)
       SV: Matt Lindstrom (28)

Josh Banks drove in his first run of support with a groundout in the second inning. Corey Brown singled home the tying run for Milwaukee in the fourth. He then scored the go-ahead run on a single by Taylor Green. The Brewers tacked on one more run in the inning. Willy Aybar knocked Chris Narveson from the game with a two-run homer with no outs in the seventh. An error by Mat Gamel let the tying run score later that inning. Then, with two runners on, Aaron Rowand homered to give Houston a three-run lead. Each club scored once more as the game ended by a score of 8-5.

August 29, 2013
Game 131 – Milwaukee Brewers (61-69) @ Houston Astros (58-71)
Shaun Marcum (4-6, 4.10 ERA) v. Henry Villar (8-8, 4.66 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
       Brewers (MIL) 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0    2  6  1
        Astros (HOU) 0 5 1 0 1 0 1 2 x   10 14  2

       HR (HOU):  Mark Hamilton (1), Willy Aybar 2 (12), Jon Gaston (33)

       WP: Henry Villar (9-8)
       LP: Shaun Marcum (4-7)

Freddy Sanchez singled home two runs in the second inning to give Houston an early 2-0 lead. Willy Aybar then launched a three run home run. Shaun Marcum allowed two more runs as he labored through a mere five innings of work. Milwaukee didn’t score until plating two runs in the seventh inning off a tiring Henry Villar. Houston added an eighth run in the bottom of the inning. Jon Gaston and Willy Aybar took Chad Qualls deep for solo shots in the eighth as Houston rolled to a 10-2 victory.

August 30, 2013
Game 132 – Cincinnati Reds (55-75) @ (Milwaukee Brewers (61-70)
Aroldis Chapman (6-6, 4.26 ERA) v. Wily Peralta (3-6, 7.29 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
          Reds (CIN) 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1    5  5  1
       Brewers (MIL) 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 3    6  9  0

       HR (CIN):  Todd Frazier (13)

       WP: Wily Peralta (4-6)
       LP: Francisco Rodriguez (1-3)

Wily Peralta opened up the game with little control, loading the bases before recording an out. All three runners would score. The Brewers came back with two runs in the second to keep the game close. The score remained 3-2 until the sixth inning when Carlos Quentin singled in the tying run. The Reds regained the lead in the seventh as a run scored during a double play. Wily Peralta settled down greatly and efficiently worked through all nine innings, though he allowed a homer to Todd Frazier in the final frame. Francisco Rodriguez came on for the save. After Carlos Quentin singled and took second on defensive indifference, Angel Salome doubled him home. Andy Gresham was intentionally walked to bring up Jack Gillette who was pinch hit for by George Kottaras. Kottaras laced a ball into the left-center field gap and both runners came in for the walk-off victory.

Mat Gamel injured his leg in the post-game celebration and will miss about two weeks. With the rosters expanding in a day, he won’t need to be placed on the DL. Luke Scott will man first base until Gamel returns.

August 31, 2013
Game 133 – Cincinnati Reds (55-76) @ (Milwaukee Brewers (62-70)
Mike Leake (1-17, 6.21 ERA) v. Clayton Richard (6-11, 4.86 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
          Reds (CIN) 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0    3 10  0
       Brewers (MIL) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0    2  7  0

       HR (CIN):  Todd Frazier (14)
       HR (MIL):  Brett Lawrie (10)
 
       WP: Mike Leake (2-17)
       LP: Clayton Richard (6-12)
       SV: Francisco Rodriguez (28)

Yonder Alonso singled home a run in the first inning to put Cincinnati up early. Brett Lawrie tied it up in the bottom of the inning. In the seventh, Todd Frazier hit a pinch hit two-run home run to break the 1-1 stalemate. Brett Lawrie hit a solo homer in the eighth but Milwaukee couldn’t score again and fell 3-2.

[HoustonGM]

Week 21 - Around the League

Retirements
Mariners SP Joe Saunders retired
Dodgers C A.J. Ellis, RP Brent Leach retired
Diamondbacks RP Leo Rosales retired
Free agent Carlos Guillen retired. He had a career line of .286/.359/.451, hitting 176 home runs during a career in which he spent time with the Mariners, Tigers and Orioles and played all over the field.

Releases
Tigers released RP Daniel Schlereth
Dodgers released SP Jeff Marquez
Rockies released SP Esmil Rogers

FA Signings
Indians signed RP Daniel Schlereth
Cubs signed SP Anthony Ortega
Marlins signed 3B Casey McGehee, RF Jose Bautista, OF Chris Duffy, 3B Edwin Encarnacion

Contract Extensions
The Nationals gave closer Drew Storen a $3.4 million salary for next season.

The Cubs signed third basemen Josh Vitters to a $5.2 million one year extension, avoiding arbitration.

Rangers first basemen Justin Smoak will earn a total of $9 million over the next two years after agreeing to an extension with the club.

Injuries
Pirates starter Tim Alderson will miss two weeks. Rudy Owens will re-enter the rotation in his absence.

Mariners center fielder Franklin Gutierrez will miss the rest of the season after suffering a severe oblique strain. The stud defender finished with a mediocre batting line of .262/.333/.393. Carlos Gomez will man center field for Seattle, who holds a half game lead in the AL West as of this writing, the rest of the way.

Kyle Null of the Rangers ill the rest of the season with a fractured wrist. He hit .236/.305/.431 with 18 HR and 64 RBI while DHing until the Rangers acquired Billy Butler. Since that trade, he’s been playing behind the plate. As such, the Rangers will turn to Jarrod Saltalamacchia at catcher.

Dodgers starter Chris Withrow will miss two weeks. 24 year old Mark Robison was called up and will make his MLB debut in place of Withrow.

Astro right fielder Delmon Young is out for the rest of the season. After signing a big contract this offseason, Young followed up a career year in 2012 with a mediocre .298/.342/.443 line this year. Nate Schierholtz will play regularly for the final month of the season.

Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw will miss three weeks. Aging Ted Lilly will make any necessary spot starts.

Giants starter Madison Bumgarner will miss the rest of the year. He made 22 starts after missing all but one game last year, bouncing back nicely with an 11-4 record and a 3.24 ERA. Kevin Pucetas will replace him.

Veteran Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins will miss the first two weeks of September with a groin injury. Freddy Galvis and Juan Uribe will split time there for them.

Blue Jays starter Kyle Lohse may miss the rest of the season. There’s a chance that he returns for a final start or two at the end of the year, but the Blue Jays might not risk it as Lohse deals with elbow soreness. Control artist Henderson Alvarez will start for them down the stretch.

Speedy Braves second basemen Derrik Gibson will miss two weeks. Acquired in the blockbuster Prince Fielder trade, Gibson has been excellent for the Braves, and already has 65 stolen bases on the year (combined between Boston and Atlanta). Howie Kendrick will fill in.

Nationals starter Ross Detwiler is done for the year. He finished the year with an even 9-9 record and a 3.70 ERA in 25 starts. He’ll be ready for the playoffs if the Nationals make it in. Aaron Thompson will fill in for two weeks until Stephen Strasburg is ready to return from his DL stint.

[HoustonGM]

Standings - September 1, 2013

[HoustonGM]

Through August 31, 2013

Brewers Leaders
Batting Average: LF Ryan Braun (.287)
Home Runs: 1B Prince Fielder (23)
Runs Batted In: LF Ryan Braun (87)
Hits: LF Ryan Braun (152)
Doubles: LF Ryan Braun (29)
Triples: SS Ralph Davis (5)
Stolen Bases: SS Ralph Davis (29)
Runs Scored: LF Ryan Braun (80)
Walks: CF Andy Gresham (55)
On Base Pct.: LF Ryan Braun (.352)
Slugging Pct.: LF Ryan Braun (.482)
OPS: LF Ryan Braun (.834)

Wins: SP Yovani Gallardo (12)
Earned Run Average.: SP Yovani Gallardo (2.81)
Strikeouts: SP Yovani Gallardo (188)
Innings: SP Yovani Gallardo (179.1)
Strikeouts/9 IP: SP Yovani Gallardo (9.43)
Walks/9 IP: SP Chris Narveson (3.62)
WHIP: SP Yovani Gallardo (1.21)
Saves: RP Joakim Soria (22)
DICE: SP Yovani Gallardo (3.70)

American League Leaders
Batting Average: Twins C Joe Mauer (.346)
Home Runs: White Sox 1B Adrian Gonzalez (41)
Runs Batted In: White Sox 1B Adrian Gonzalez (124)
Hits: Twins DH Ben Revere (182)
Doubles: Twins DH Ben Revere (40)
Triples: Rangers SS Elvis Andrus (12)
Stolen Bases: Twins DH Ben Revere (67)
Runs Scored: Twins DH Ben Revere (114)
Walks: Twins 1B Justin Morneau (99)
On Base Pct.: Twins 1B Justin Morneau (.423)
Slugging Pct.: White Sox 1B Adrian Gonzalez (.625)
OPS: White Sox 1B Adrian Gonzalez (1.029)

Wins: Twins SP Matt Garza (15)
Earned Run Average.: Tigers SP Justin Verlander (2.94)
Strikeouts: Blue Jays SP Jesus Sanchez (160)
Innings: Orioles SP Zach Britton (177.1)
Strikeouts/9 IP: Blue Jays SP Jesus Sanchez (9.93)
Walks/9 IP: Rays SP Jeremy Hellickson (1.16)
WHIP: Rays SP Jeremy Hellickson (1.04)
Saves: Twins RP Joe Nathan (37)
DICE: White Sox SP Zack Greinke (3.03)

National League Leaders
Batting Average: Diamondbacks LF Ryan Wheeler, Cubs SS Starlin Castro (.336)
Home Runs: Pirates 3B Pedro Alvarez (39)
Runs Batted In: Pirates 3B Pedro Alvarez (113)
Hits: Cubs 2B Starlin Castro (158)
Doubles: Pirates SS Chase D'Arnaud (41)
Triples: Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins (9)
Stolen Bases: Padres SS Drew Cumberland (35)
Runs Scored: Mets 3B David Wright (103)
Walks: Braves 1B/LF Ryan Strieby (104)
On Base Pct.: Diamondbacks LF Ryan Wheeler (.428)
Slugging Pct.: Pirates 3B Pedro Alvarez (.611)
OPS: Diamondbacks LF Ryan Wheeler (1.035)

Wins: Phillies SP Roy Halladay (17)
Earned Run Average.: Phillies SP Roy Halladay (2.53)
Strikeouts: Giants SP Tim Lincecum (201)
Innings: Phillies SP Roy Halladay (199)
Strikeouts/9 IP: Nationals SP Stephen Strasburg (10.57)
Walks/9 IP: Phillies SP Roy Halladay (1.09)
WHIP: Phillies SP Roy Halladay (0.94)
Saves: Nationals RP Drew Storen (37)
DICE: Phillies SP Roy Halladay (2.58)

[HoustonGM]

McAllister No-Hits Pirates

September 4, 2011

Astros starter Zach McAllister put a nice bow on what has been a fantastic breakout season for the 25 year old as he hit tossed a gem of a game, holding the first place Pirates hitless while allowing just one walk. He now is the owner of an 8-6 record with a 3.19 ERA, ranking 9th in the National League. The Astros won the game 9-0 on the strength of two homers and an astounding seven RBI from another breakout player, Jon Gaston.